First Platinum standard accessible fisheries in England announced.

First of the reports from Dreamstore Day is the announcement of the first ever recipients of Platinum Standard awards in England, within its Accessible Fisheries Awards Scheme, all based in the North West. The three fisheries become three out of only four recognized Platinum Standard fisheries in the UK.

The three fisheries are:

Wyvern Fishing Platform is a fully accessible and inclusive fishing platform in an urban location on site alongside leisure centre facilities run by Cheshire West and Chester Council in Winsord. This sets the bar for others in the Public sector to work towards greater access for all.

Wyvern Fishing Platform: fully accessible and inclusive fishing platform in urban location alongside leisure centre facilities run by Cheshire West and Chester Council in Winsord.

Bay Malton Angling Club at Border Fishery near Crewe has continued to improve since gaining a Gold Award in 2008. Today Gibbo’s Pool has a 30 metre fully accessible family platform and gains Platinum. No Accessible Award is ever for a platform alone, and the Club has put in enormous effort to improve the car-parking, accessible toilets and café.

Bay Malton Angling Club at Border Fishery near Crewe, Gibbo’s Pool has a 30 metre fully accessible family platform and the Club has put in enormous effort to improve the car-parking, accessible toilets and café.

Moss Farm Fishery is a social enterprise set up less than a year ago, but already with plans to expand significantly. This again is an urban fishery with full access to two pools, for now, with shop, café and toilets near Irlam, Manchester and is the practical outworking of the vision of Alan Whitehead and Tommy Snee.

Terry Moseley, President of the BDAA said: “It is great to see improved standards, and would like to see the focus that has been placed on the North West over this past year to be extended across the country. The fact is there are still too few accessible fisheries, and although we have three announced today they remain only three of four anywhere in the UK. “

David Hoey, Dreamstore, commented on the value of the Awards: “Dreamstore has supported the BDAA since the inception of the Accessible Fisheries Awards. We work with many voluntary angling groups across the country and the provision for safe accessible family fishing centres is a huge challenge for everyone. Not nearly enough resource is focused on upgrading facilities to offer basics such as hard surface for car-parking and pathways, and nearby toilets and shelter.”

On Dreamstore Day the BDAA also commended the West Midlands fishery at Lavender Hall in the Commercial Category, with a Gold plus Award for its ongoing improvement with expanding access and a centre for Angling Unlimited to develop its youth education and coaching activities.

Moss Farm Fishery social enterprise is an urban fishery with full access to two pools, with shop, café and toilets near Irlam, and with big plans for expansion.

The Accessible Fisheries Awards Scheme was created to highlight locations where efforts have been made to create Access for All. Both Dreamstore and the BDAA believe that it is important to promote and recognize those places where anyone is made welcome and has an open opportunity to fish recreationally.

The fourth AFAS Platinum Award in the UK is the Teglan Fishery in Wales.